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Original poster

The BNP & Barking

70 replies

fuzzywuzzy · 19/04/2006 22:36

Just read \link{http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4921540.stm\this} article and am now feeling incredibly relieved we're seriously considering emmigrating.

I have to say I have noticed the difference around where I live, dp and I used to be the only Asian faces around, and along with our black neighbours we were the only non-white people in this area.
Five years down the line and it's drastically changed, not that I'm complaining.
When we first moved here, we had a gang of young boys regularly stand outside my front door yelling abuse (I'd be alone in the house after a long day at work), one night around christmas a few of them tried breaking our door down. I was regularly spat at and called names, but we couldn't afford to move away then..... Now it's a bit more multicultural I don't have those problems (have to add my neighbour was a godsend and regularly sent the youths packing if he got home and found aggressive teenagers outside my front door....).

Dunno was wondering what other people think, anyone who lives around Barking/Dagenham think it's changed for the worse?? Do you really think the National Front have a chance at the next elections??

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Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/04/2006 22:40

We've had BNP on the council here Sad

Detta · 19/04/2006 22:42

Not in your area FW, but am always appalled by racism, and can't believe that anyone would ever want to vote for the BNP. Where I live is almost exclusively white, very Conservative and I'm sure the BNP would do well here. But I like to think it's the older generation. Apparently not though. It's obviously just the pig ignorant among us (of which, unfortunately there are many). I think the BNP will do well, as there are lots of people out there who really don't think, or care about anyone other than themselves (product of the Thatcher years). Hope you enjoy your life wherever it is you're thinking of going.

UCM · 19/04/2006 23:05

I am trying very hard to think of a way to articulate here which would not seem daunting and possibly racist. People are very very fed up. The only people who can get housing from the local government are those who don't work/are on the sick/are deliberately single parents.

If there are influxes of people from abroad, they take priority and obviously get the best housing.

This influx from abroad, well we all have to pay because to refuse would be deemed racism and that is what this country is governed by now.

Health Tourists are ok because to argue that they have not paid anything into the health service would be racist.

I could go on and on but I would be racist and my post would be deleted....

georginarf · 19/04/2006 23:11

Oh I thought 'Barking' was a comment on the mindset of the BNP. Sorry - couldn't resist

They might have a chance - they are trying to be very clever about how they appeal to people. Sad but true. Apart from the fact the whole premise of the BNP is inherently racist, they couldn't actually run the proverbial in a brewery. And any party based on bigotry and exclusion will have a very hard time staying together in a cohesive manner. So whilst I think it's possible they'll continue to win the odd seat here and there, the party will continue self-destruct and split into factions, as well as being revealed as incapable of taking part in serious political debate.

All IMHO of course Grin

UCM · 19/04/2006 23:16

Well, I wouldn't vote for them for that reason, but I can see why they are gaining votes... in perhaps areas where people are so disillusioned that they can't see any other way... I don't know, I am shocked that they are getting as many votes as they are. I will still vote Tory in my borough though and the only reason is because if Labour won, they would ruin all of the social things we have here. Every bowling green would be up for development, our libraries would close..... bugger that. Tory I stay.

Detta · 19/04/2006 23:17

I once heard jean-marie le pen (NF leader in France) give a speech which basically said "we have 3 million unemployed in this country and 3 million immigrants. Do I need to say any more?" I'm sure that so many people didn't think beyond "oh yeah, he's right". Horrible lot (the NF, not the French!)

UCM · 19/04/2006 23:18

Our parks would turn into developments. I can't watch that happen. I would never vote for a party that would ruin what little social areas we have.

UCM · 19/04/2006 23:23

It's funny but in a conversation with an Asian guy who lives near me, he bought it up and said that he would consider voting for the BNP because he is sick of the immigrants... I didn't quite know what to say so kept quiet. A bit dodgy really.

Original poster
fuzzywuzzy · 19/04/2006 23:42

UCM Do you honestly think, that immigrants get special treatment over british nationals???

I have always thought the 'immigrants get priority in housing, and health' was a pile of poo.

Btw I was born and bought up here my grandfather came over as a teacher, both my grandparents worked until retirement age and nobody in my family has ever calimed benefit beyond child benefit......

I personally have never encountered anyone who wants to come to england just for an operation, all the Indian people I know think the NHS is rubbish and they all go to India for their operations, they think the doctors there are far better.... I know several women who went back home(ie India) for gyne treatment but never the other way round.

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UCM · 19/04/2006 23:47

I don't know, unfortunately I get my info from chit chat, newspapers etc. But I DO know that lots of people think that this is true.... Why is this then?

Why do so many people think that people coming into this country get more than the people living in it already?

monica2 · 19/04/2006 23:49

My cousin works in London trying to find accommodation etc for immigrants, I can assure you they do not get priority housing, it's a political nightmare with each borough fighting each other. Tbh I don't see what difference it makes anyway any human being in need of the basics human rights/needs is just as entitled as anyone else

Original poster
fuzzywuzzy · 19/04/2006 23:50

Dunno UCM, perhaps because the media like to make it front page news when there is no news??

Have you personally come across anyone who has received priority over someone who lives here already, Or do you know someone who knows someone who has??

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UCM · 19/04/2006 23:50

I also think, not know for sure but think, that it's very very easy for people from another country to come to the UK an claim benefits, which I don't really think is right. There are lots of families living on benefits for years in the UK who have not paid a cent into the coffers. I definitely do not think that this is right whatsoever.

UCM · 19/04/2006 23:53

And this is from a relative who works in one the housing offices in London. She doesn't have to lie to me so I am assuming it's true.

UCM · 19/04/2006 23:54

Anyway I am leaving this conversation right now, because I can see it kicking off because I am racist already..... Nite.xxx

Original poster
fuzzywuzzy · 19/04/2006 23:54

Nope UCM, easy at all.

I have a friend who came over here on work permit(they lost everything during the riots in India, basically their home and business were burnt down to the ground).
Her visa is regularly reviewed, she does not claim benefits (she came to earn money through hard work), she does everything and anything, but has no recourse to public funds (nor does she want them).

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Original poster
fuzzywuzzy · 19/04/2006 23:55

I find your views interesting as it happens UCM, as I imagine they are the views held by a lot of english people.

Sweet dreams.

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UCM · 20/04/2006 00:05

thanks FW, I am not racist, I couldn't care less what race anyone is. I am me, but lots of people from lots of races feel that, we as a country are being taken the piss out of.... sorry just had to add that. xx nighty nite.

MeerkatsUnite · 20/04/2006 08:15

OMG a thread about Barking!!!!!.

I was born in Barking (hospital is now a housing estate!) and lived there till my late 20s. I used to live on the Leftly estate which was at one time considered to be quite a nice area to live in when it came to Barking. I say this not out of snobbishness but to give a general overview of what the town was like.

The whole place has changed a hell of a lot in the last two decades both asthetically (lots more speed humps!) and in terms of community. The make up of the population has changed dramatically too from being a mix of white and asian. Barking took in a large number of Eastern europeans/asylum seekers from other councils to rehouse them and many citizens who live there "blame" these groups of people for the varied social problems.

The town is not completely a lost cause (however Margaret Hodge was an MP there at one time and she shouldn't have been put in charge of anything!!!) and a lot of public money has been wasted.

MeerkatsUnite · 20/04/2006 08:22

"The available figures show immigrants firmly remain a minority in Barking - making up about 14% of the total population, but it is part of the eastern fringe of London which has experienced rapid change from migration in the past decade or more".

This migration change has brought with it its own problems; namely the perception that the migrants have brought their social problems with them.

I sincerely hope the citizens of Barking and Dagenham do not vote the BNP in!!. I don't live in Barking any longer but I still have ties to the place.

Marina · 20/04/2006 08:46

Surprisingly (BNP HQ used to be down the road from me :( :() we've got our first ever council candidate for the BNP in next month's elections :(
I will be interested and very concerned to see how she fares. The area where I live is also near where Stephen Lawrence was murdered and has a bad reputation for racist attitudes.
Every week the local paper manages to find a name-and-address-supplied to foam at the mouth Jean-Marie le Pen style about immigration taking away jobs etc, which doesn't help.
UCM, as Fuzzywuzzy says, your insights were interesting, thanks for sharing them so honestly. Even if what you have heard from various sources about immigrants getting the pick of the housing in Barking (hmmm?) is not true, if a lot of locals in London believe it to be, then the BNP is going to pick up votes on the back of it. :(
I honestly don't know how councils and the government can convincingly nail this lie that money, houses and jobs are handed over freely to immigrants in preference to local residents. Because IME it is a lie.

lockets · 20/04/2006 09:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

joelalie · 20/04/2006 11:09

BNP is doing well because when things are hard for you it's convenient to find a scapegoat. Immigrants are a convenient scapegoat at the moment. Though as the population of Britain seems to be very largely made up of 'immigrants' who have arrived over the centuries it does seem an odd one to choose.

Fuzzywuzzy - "most English people" do not think that way... fortunately Smile. Just a rather vocal and disatisfied minority. BTW I don't know where you are thinking of emigrating too - I have a feeling that racism is most definitely not a solely British problem.

Detta · 20/04/2006 16:58

Lockets - was discussing this with DP earlier and he said exactly the same as you. It makes a lot of sense, and I only hope it is just a tactical thing!

Original poster
fuzzywuzzy · 20/04/2006 17:51

I don't think it's just tactical, I thik last elections the BNP got voted in Goresbrook I think which is pretty near here, and as far as I can rmeember the BNP were like second in Barking and dagenham too, they weren't even very many votes away from the winning seat.

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